Did you know that multitasking adversely affects your brain’s learning capacity?
Even if you didn’t wake up with this on your mind, you need to face the facts. Multitasking could be ruining your life and ministry in more ways than one.
I don’t know about you, but I have a really hard time focusing. It’s rare for 5 minutes to pass where I don’t check my iPhone.
I can’t remember the last day I didn’t check Twitter.
Matter of fact, sometimes I have to laugh at myself. The TV is on, I’m blogging in WordPress, responding to Twitter comments, playing Solitaire on my iPhone, texting a couple friends, reading a Kindle book, stuffing my face with Cheez-Its, and oh yea, “talking” with my wife.
I’m hopeless 🙂
Are you prone to the same patterns?
Multitasking and Ministry
I never knew multitasking was a problem for me…until it was. I simply I thought I was able to get more done in a shorter amount of time, when in reality, I was increasing my stress level.
It saddens me that this mindset creeps into our ministry as well.
So much so that we forget that ministry is about the people – people coming through our doors who need to be connected to Jesus. People who need to see Him.
But I’m wondering how I sound.
I’m making sure the tech booth is in order.
The lyrics are spelled correctly.
The stage looks good.
The band sounds tight.
My fly is up.
My hair looks good.
The chairs are set up.
Too much me. Too many diversions of my mental energies.
What Would FOCUS Look Like?
We think we’re being productive when we multi task when, in reality, we’re not being present. We’re not living in the moment and engaging ourselves for all it’s worth. Especially when we do ministry.
The theme of this year’s Catalyst conference was “Be Present”. I couldn’t think of a more relevant theme for we church leaders.
What would it look like if we approached our ministries undistracted?
What would it look like if we approached a weekend service, focused on one thing?
What would our quiet times be like if we focused all of our energy upon Jesus – undistracted…unbroken.
Sure, we have responsibilities. But what if we were free to be fully alive in the moment – that moment when the Holy Spirit wants to flow through you to meet a need?
Question: Do you think multitasking is a problem? What is distracting you and what are you going to do about it? Join us in the comments!
Photo Credit: SXC.HU (4 Seasons)
I’d answer you but I have to check my Facebook, make an appearance on Twitter, change the playlist on my iPod, check my weather app, respond to a text message and finish reading through my Flipboard app while I’m watching Mike & Mike on ESPN.
Yes, we do need to be more present with what is going on in our lives, even if we’re not in full-time ministry. Focus on one task, focus on the conversation with the person in front of us, focus on our worship to Jesus. All of these time-saving devices can take too much of our time away from what’s really important.
Haha! Sounds like you have a similar problem. Your words are so true.
I never looked at it as a bad thing but you are so right David.
After reading this I do see how me multitasking all the time I’m not really present in the present but always preparing for the future. Woe. Thank You David
I have yet to find a truly successful multitasker. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it definitely doesn’t work for me!
How about the flip side of this? When does hyper focus become a problem?
Good question!
this can be especially frustrating and distracting for multi-vocational pastors. I only work 1/4 time with my church, working two other self-employed jobs to finish paying the bills (private piano teaching and freelance music work). It’s really easy to feel spun-out and wrung out by the end of each day.
Perhaps a more organized approach to each day of the week, with a map for each part of the day and what I hope to accomplish during that time, would be helpful. I dunno. I don’t have the time to map that out… 😉
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Neil, I’ve started to do this more – mapping out specific projects I will work on each day. It has actually saved me time in the long run because I enter each day without the stress of figuring out what to do. I’ve made my decision in advance. I’d recommend a Sunday afternoon or an early morning to map out your week.
Unfortunately, ministry is just a tip on the iceberg of where you see this shift taking place in different societies. How does this look in the day-to-day among families though? Being present take a large degree of intentional action. While I find myself becoming more “entrenched” in these technologies, I have to DAILY make intentional actions of undivided attention to my three small children and husband. Our patterns in ministry may often be a reflection of our patterns among our family.
And then there is understanding how the people you are ministering to are being affected by multi-tasking. How do you get THEIR undivided attention??? Our pastor has occasionally asked during a sermon, “How many of you have checked your e.mail since being here today?” It’s so true. And sometimes it’s SO hard.
There is a time for multi-tasking for sure. If I am blogging, e.mailing, searching the Internet, texting, editing photos, tweeting, pinteresting, etc. literally all at once back-to-back, I always try to be aware: Is there a PERSON with a NEED that I am RESPONSIBLE for NOW. No? Work away. Yes? Stop. Meet the person’s need.
Btw…I found this because someone shared it on facebook. 🙂
Welcome to the blog, Anneke! Thanks for commenting. I think you’re 100% right – being present takes a large degree of intention. It doesn’t just happen. I’ve been trying to schedule my social media interaction so as not to “steal” from my wife when I’m with her. I’m not perfect, but I’m getting there. Thanks for your insight!
Thank you!
Oh my goodness! This post totally resonated with me… I have been trying so hard to come to a place of focus, but the amount of things I am involved in at my church (which also happens to be the place where I am employed) requires me to multi-task. I come into work on any given day and have about 10 things thrown at me at once. I know that I would way more influential if I weren’t trying to do everyone else’s job as well as my own. Is multitasking ruining my life and ministry? At this point, no. But I can see it coming…soon.
Jennifer, how can you keep it from ruining your life?
I have no idea! Multi-tasking has become so much apart of who I am, I’m not sure what I would do without it! Any suggestions?
All I can suggest is what I outlined in the post. I’m still figuring it out myself 😉